Shock, Surprise over Greenwich Priest's Suspension over Child Abuse Allegations

By Robert Marchant
Greenwich Time
February 5, 2015

http://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Shock-surprise-over-Greenwich-priest-s-6065294.php

There was no response at St. Agnes Church Thursday to news that former pastor Stephen DeLuca has been suspended from priestly duties because of a sexual abuse accusation. DeLuca led the church on Stanwich Road from 1984 to 2006. Photo: Robert Marchant, Anne W. Semmes Buy this photo

Shock and surprise were the responses to the announcement that a priest with longtime roots in the community had been suspended over an alleged incident of sexual misconduct with a youngster that recently came to light.

The Rev. Stephen DeLuca was removed from clerical duties this week by the Bridgeport Diocese, which includes Greenwich. He had been serving as priest in residence at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside. At that church, he filled in for other priests when they were travelling or otherwise unable to conduct services, and he took on occasional clerical duties following his recent retirement at the age of 75. He was also the former pastor of St. Agnes Church on Stanwich Road from 1984 to 2006.

Roseann Benedict, who attends services at St. Catherine's, said of the recent disclosure, "It's shocking to me."

She recalled DeLuca as a teacher at St. Mary's High School.

"Everyone loved him," she said. She said he was a well-regarded educator at the school, which is no longer in existence, and that news of his suspension was hard to process.

"I'm sort of in denial," Benedict said.